Magnet thermal electric-light flasher.



M. -C. RYAN.

MAGNET THERMAL ELECTRIC LIGHT FLASHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. I914.

1,251,825. V Patented Jan.1, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- M. C. RYAN.

MAGNET THERMAL ELECTRIC LIGHT FLASHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, I914- Patenoed Jan. 1,1918.

- 2 SHEETS-SHEET2 MICHAEL C. RYAN, OF PHOENIX,'NEW YORK.

t MAGNET THERMAL ELECTRIC-LIGHT FLASHER.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Application filed June 29, 1914. Serial No. 848,055.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL C. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Oswego and State of New York, have invented Certain new and useful Improvements in Magnet Thermal Electric-Light Flashers, of. which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements. in automatic electric switches, and more particularly in what are commonly known as .flashers for controlling electric light circuits; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawing illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention ,from among other formations and arrangements within. the spirit and scope thereof.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in arrangements and combinations as more fully and particularly set forth and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw-' Figure 1, is an elevation of flasher mechanism involving my invention.

Fig. 2, is a similar view showing certain parts in different positions from those of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is an edge elevation.

Fig. 4, is a vertical section showing the flexible or cushioning support for the thermal switch.

Fig. 5, is a detailsection showing the support and adjusting means for the fixed contact below the solenoid core.

Fig. 6, is a detail section showing the contact foot onthe lower end of the solenoid core and the securing means therefor.

In the drawings, 1, is a suitable slate or other insulating material base arranged vertically, and carrying a thermal switch, indicated generally by A, and two verticallyarranged magnet switches B, C, controlling light or load circuits and controlled by the thermal switch.

' Any suitable thermal switch A, can be employed, although in this instance, I show such a. switch comprising two parallel arched or bowed metal conducting bars 2,

3, spaced apart and at their ends secured to point 5, and at its opposite end electrically connected with binding post 7. The conducting bar 2, is electrically connected with binding post When expansion bar or plate 3, is cool or at its normal temperature and in its normal position, the contacts 5, 4, are in engagement so that the circuit from post 8, to post 7, is closed through said contacts and the heating coil. So soon as the coil heats the bar 3, said bar expands and moves the contact 5, from engagement "with the screw 4, and thereby breaks the circuit. The bar 3, then contracts as it cools until the contacts 5, 4, t

are again in engagement, whereupon the former operation is repeated as is well understood by those skilled in the art.

The two magnet switches are alike in construction, and each consists of a magnet coil or solenoid 9, arranged in a vertical position at the front face of the insplating baseand fixed thereto and spaced therefrom by angle brackets 10. The upper bracket 10, has a plug or other means closing the upper end of the bore of the solenoid while the lower bracket 10, has a vertical opening registering with the lower end of the solenoid bore and in which the solenoid core is freely movable vertically. Said core consists of a comparatively heavy iron or other metal rod or bar 11, constituting a para-magnetic core of greater length than the bore of the solenoid and at its lower end having a depending conducting metal head 12, secured thereto and formed with a socket opening through its lower end and removably receiving the depending conducting metal contact piece or foot 13, detachably confined in the socket and to the head by screw 14.

The contact piece or foot 13, is preferably composed of mckel or other suitable metal that will not electrically weld, or corrode, under conditions to which it is likely to be subjected in an electric flasher. x

The head 12, is provided with a binding post 15, in electrical connection with the consulating base and having a bore or hole extending vertically therethrough and alined with the longitudinal axis of the solenoid.

core and containing an elongated conducting metal bar 17 (usually composed of the same material as foot 13, or material of substantially like qualities) longitudinally adjustable therein and projecting upwardly therefrom to receive the foot 13, and limit the downward movement of the core, and thereby constituting an electrical contact piece and terminal opposing and to electrically engage the contact lece or foot '13. The lower portion of said hole or, bore through block 16, is preferably tapped or threaded to'receive the stop and ad usting screw 18, depending from the block and at its upper end adapted to engage the lower end of contact piece 17, foradjusting the same upwardly to attain and to maintain the desired position of the upper. end of piece 17, with respect to the limit of upward movement of the core. The contact piece is clamped in the desired position by a set screw 19, arranged horizontally in the block 16. The blocks 16, are preferably provided with binding posts 20, whereby wires or other electrical conductors can be applied to said blocks and thereby electrically connected with stationary contacts 17.

In the-example illustrated for purposes of explanation, I show two load or electric light circuits D, E, arranged to be alternately lighted. and darkened by the two similar ,magnet (solenoid) switches hereinbefore described. The main line wire-or connection F, is commonto both circuits D, E, and is electrically connected to a binding post 22, on the insulating base through wire f. The binding post 8,. of. the thermal switch is electrically connected to binding post 22, by wire or other connection 23.

, The opposite main line wire or feeder G, is electrically connected to a binding post 24, on the insulating base.

The solenoid of the magnet switch B, has

one end electrically connected to the thermal switch binding post 7, by wire 25, while its other end is electrically connected to the binding post 24, through the medium of wire 26, binding post 26', and metal strip or bus bar 24. The bus bar 24: is, secured to slate 1, and the posts 24, 26 .are electrically secured thereto, The solenoid B, and

thermal switch A are in shunt, and this shunt circuit is controlled by the thermal switch to energize and deenergize the sole-' noid of magnet switch B, at regular uniform nectidn27, from binding post 22, to'one end of said solenoid; wire 28, from the other end of said solenoid to the binding post 28' extending through slate 1, and electrically connected to wire 29, at the rear side of said slate and extending to one of the screws 29',

securing block 16, of switch B, to the slate 1, and electrically connected to said block,

.whereby the solenoid of switch C is arranged in a separate shunt circuit from that in which the thermal switch and solenoid B, are arranged, although it is controlled by the thermal switch through the medium of the magnet switch B.

The light circuit E, is made and broken to light and darken the lamps therein by the magnet switch B, through the medium of the electrical connection 6, electrically coupled to the fixed contact 17, of said switch (through binding post 20), and an electrical connection 30, from the movable 26', and therefrom to. binding post 24, through bus bar 24'.

The light circuit D, is correspondingly contact 13, of said switch to the binding post I made and broken by the magnet switch C, a

through the medium of electrical connection d, to the fixed contact 17, of switch C, through binding post 20, thereof; and a connection 31, from the movable contact '13, of

switch C, to the'binding post 24, through bus bar 24', and binding post 32, securing connection 31, to said bus bar.

I The solenoid cores are freely movable so as to instantaneously jump to elevated position when their solenoids are energized, and to instantaneously drop by gravlty when their solenoids are deenergized.

When the thermal switch A, heats up and its contacts separate, the shunt circuit through the solenoid of magnet switch B, is broken so that no current is flowing \through said solenoid, and hence the core of said solenoid freely drops by gravity to shunt that includes the solenoid of switch B,

the shunt controlling the solenoid of switch G, is closed and the core of said solenoid C,

is instantly elevated to break the light circuit D. The shunt controlling solenoid C, is thus closed through wires 27, 28, post 28', Wire 29, contacts 17 13, of switch B, wire 30, post 26', and bus bar 24.

When the thermal switch cools and the contacts thereof again engage, the shunt circuit including solenoid B, is closed and said solenoid is energized and the core thereof is instantly elevated, thereby breaking light circuit E, and darkening the lamps thereof by the separation of the contacts 13, 17, of magnet switch B.

The separation of contacts 13, 17, of switch B, breaks the shunt circuit that includes solenoid of magnet O, and hence the core thereof instantly drops and closes the light circuit D, and lights the lamps therein, through wife 7, post 24, bus bar 24, post 32, wire 31, the contacts 13, 17, of switch C, and wire d.

The light circuits are thus alternately darkened and lighted or flashed at uniform -intervals, and the length of time of each flash canbe accurately determined by adjusting the thermal switch screw 1.

The magnet switches work in opposition, that is, when one is closed the other is broken, and the solenoid energizing shunt of one magnet switch is controlled by the thermal switch, while the solenoid energizing shunt of the other magnet switch is closed and broken by the contacts of the first named magnet switch, whereby one shunt is always closed when the other shunt is broken.

One or more magnet switches can be employed to operate corresponding or any suitable number of light circuits and the energizing shunts of saidswitches can be connected, arranged and controlled in various ways. lVhere heavy circuits are carried the magnet switches can be arranged in sets of two or more, so that each shunt can include two or more solenoids and each light circuit two or more magnet switches.

The electrical connections (such as 30, 31) between the movable coresof the magnet switches and binding posts on the slate or base, must be such as to permit free vertical movement of the cores and offer no resistance against such movement, and also must be durable against breakage because of'theap proximately constant movement to which they are subjected.

- I accomplish these results by forming the connections 30, 31, of comparatively very long lengths of flexible wire comparatively heavily insulated by suitable durable fabric or the like, that will not materially reduce the flexibility of the connection and will stand long wear withoutbreaking, and by forming each connection into a coil composed of a plurality of overlying convolutions of comparatively large diameter, so

that the coil is arranged beside the movable contact of its magnet switch and projects These coils are so arforming the coils, at any one point or points.

\Vhen a core moves vertically, the coil (30 or 31) attached thereto rocks vertically and the convolutions thereof expand and contract as a whole to permit such movement without causing bending or flexing of the connection at any particular point and hence the wear is distributed throughout the length of the coil without being concentratedat any particular point or points likely to result in fracture or breakage.

The core 11, of a magnet switch can be composed of iron or the like, while the contact or foot 13, is usually composed of nickel or a suitable nickel alloy and the shank of the foot is maintained in electrical contact with the lower end of the core (see Fig. 5) so that the foot will be thereby subjected to the. magnetic influence flowing from the core and will hence serve to reduce sparking or arcing between the contacts 13, 17.

The foot 13, is removable (see Fig 5) and renewable when unduly worn or reduced by electricalaction' The foot is also r0- tatively adjustable independently of the core and its sleeve or socket 12, which is an advantage should the lower or contact end of the foot become unevenly pitted, reduced or fused.

Each contact 17, is preferably round in cross section with a flat top contact surface, and each contact 13, is preferably round in cross section with a flat bottom surface, and

tact 17, is preferably considerably less than the diameter of contact 13, so that the upper end of contact 17, will engage the center of contact 13, with its surrounding edge remote from the surrounding edge of contact 13, to prevent sparking between said edges. Sparking between the edge portions of the contacts would tend to unevenly reduce the contacts in such a manner that the contacts might become tapered and wedge and lock together. By forming one of the contacts much larger than the other, the larger contact surface will tend to become centrally pitted or concaved and the concavity thus formed will receivev the smaller contact without disadvantageous results. Furthercurate action of thermal switches where employed in flashers as heretofore constructed and arranged, very often resulted from shocks and vibration to which such switches were subjected during the operation of the flashers. I have also discovered, that such inaccurate action of thermal switches can be largely or completely overcome'by providing means whereby the transmission of shock and vibration to the thermal switches will be overcome or avoided. These thermal switches are so delicate in action and adjustment, that shock and vibration will often cause vibration and momentary engagement of the switch contacts and flickering of the lights controlled thereby as well as undue sparking. I reduce the transmission of shock and vibration to the thermal switch by providing a cushioning or shock absorbing mounting or connection between the switch base or porcelain a, and the slate or other support therefor. For instance, I show a vertical flat strip or band 40, of flexible or elastic material, such as leather or rubber, secured atits ends only to the base or slate 1, by any suitable clamps: 41, so that the portion of the strip between its ends isloose, free and unsecured. This band is usually at least as wide as the block or porcelain a, of the thermal switch, and said block is arranged vertically against the front'face of the strip and is secured to the loose or free center thereof by any suitable clamp or securing means 42. This clamp 42 is preferably arranged at the transverse and .longitudina'l central portion of the switch block as well as at the transverse and longitudinal central portion of the flexible supporting strip so that'the block is flexibly secured or mounted both longitudinally and transversely and so that the flexible strip is interposed between the block and the slate or base 1, v

This flexible mounting absorb the shocks and vibrations due to the magnet switches and also other shocks and vibrations to which the slate 1, may be subjected and; prevents transmission thereof to the thermal switch contacts, and strips, and hence overcomes the serious disadvantages here1n-,

before noted, although I do not wish to limit my invention to the particular cushioning means illustrated.

In the magnet thermal flasher disclosed, the shunt circuits "do not carry the light loads, and certain advantages are thereby attained. Current is flowing through the thermal switch only when the contacts thereof are in engagement, and the solenoids are in circuit and carry currents only periodically while at the intervening periods the cifcuits through the solenoids are absolutely broken, hence the solenoids exert no retarding influence on the cores when said cores drop by magnetic switch is quick and active, the

cores being elevated solely by magnetic force contact of a light circuit controlling switch,

and the solenoid for operating said switch has no other work than to elevate said core, the circuit through said solenoid is absolutely broken when the thermal contact points separate so that said solenoid exerts no magnetic influence on said core when the core is falling to and when resting on the fixed contact;

The solenoids and the thermal switch are not inseries with the lamps in the light cir-' cuitsbut are in shunt with respect thereto and do not carry the load when my flasher can'be employed to operate flash signs and other lamp arrangements rated for various amp'eresbelow a maximum and on either direct or alternating currents.

It is evident that various changes, variations and modifications might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

What I claim is: 1. In a flasher, in combination, several light circuits, several solenoids, light circuit switches controlling said light circuits, re-

spectively, and respectively operated by said solenoids to make and break said light circuits, a thermal switch in shunt with respect to said light circuits, said solenoids being in shunt with respect/to said light circuits and including and'being controlled by the contacts of said thermal switch, the circuit through one of said solenoids being controlled by the light circuit'switch operated by another of said solenoids.

2. In combination, several light circuits, switches for making and breaking said circuits, said switches being provided with and operated by solenoids, a switch being provided for each light circuit and a solenoid for each switch, said solenoids being in.

shunt, a thermal switch in shunt with re- ,spect to said light circuits and included in the circuit with and controlling one of said solenoid, another solenoid being incircuit .with and controlled by thecontacts of the switch of said solenoid in the thermal switch circuit, whereby one of said solenoids is periodically energized and deenergized at the same periods at which the other solenoid is deenergized and energized.

3. In combination, several light circuits,

gravity and consequently the action of eachgs'relatively fixed n a p ces orming terminals of said light circuits respectively, solenoids having gravity drop ,para-magnetic cores provided with the opposite terminals of said light circuits and adapted to drop onto said contact pieces, automatic circuit making and breaking means in shunt with respect to said light circuits, said solenoids being in shunt with respect to said" light circuits. and being controlled by said means, the circuit through one of said solenoids being controlled by the contact piece and core of another solenoid.

4. In combination, a support, a switch, a thermal switch controlling said first mentioned switch, and a flexible cushioning supporting connection between the thermal switch and said support.

5. In combination, an insulating base, a thermal switch provided with and carried by an insulating block, a cushioning flexible support carrying said block and secured to said base and adapted to prevent transmission of shocks and vibrations from the base to the block, and a circuit controlling switch mounted on said base and controlled by said thermal switch.

6. In a flasher, in combination, a supporting base, a jar-producing circuit controlling switch carried by said base, a thermal switch controlling said first mentioned switch and provided with and carried by an insulating block, a flexible cushioning loose strip sea cured to and carried by said base, and means supporting said block and securing the same to said loose strip, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a supporting base, a shock or vibration producing switch mounted on said base, a thermal switch controlling said first mentioned switch, and a flexible shock and vibration absorbing supporting connection carrying said thermal switch and secured to and supporting the same from said base.

8. In combination, a pair of magnet switches adapted to control separate circuits, each magnet switch consisting of a fixed contact in electric connection with its circuit, a solenoid, and a vertically movable gravity core in said solenoid provided with solenoids being in shunt with respect to the circuits, said shunt circuit being opened and closed by the said fixed contact and contact foot of the other solenoid, and an electrically-actuated controlling switch, said controlling switch and said other solenoid being arranged in series in a shunt circuit inde pendent of said circuits and said first mentioned shunt circuit.

9. In combination; several work circuits having electro-responsive devices included therein; work-circuit switches controlling said circuits, respectively; electro-operating 'means for said switches, respectively; a

thermal switch; a shunt circuit including said thermal switch and the electro-operating means for one of said work circuit switches and controlled by said thermal switch; and a shunt circuit including and controlled by the contacts of said last men- .tioned work circuit switch and including the electro-operating means of a different one of said work circuit switches.

10. In combination; several work circuits; work circuit switches controlling said circuits, respectively; electro-responsive operating means for said switches, respectively; a thermal switch; and parallel shunt actuating circuits for and including said operating means, respectively; said thermal switch the actuating circuit of an electro-responsive operating means; another electro-responsive operating means being directly included in circuit with and controlled by the contacts of the work circuit switch directly controlled by said thermal switch.

' being included in and directly controlling a 

